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Description
The project aims to provide an answer to an issue encountered over the previous years all throughout the country - there is no coherent dialogue framework for CSOs, citizens and local authorities, by establishing and implementing a viable model. The project’s team seeks to find the formula that will allow authorities to better understand their prerogatives and their citizens’ needs, while also providing the citizens with ways to become more civically engaged within their community and CSOs to better collaborate with one another. Moreover, Funky Citizens plan to invest in the internal development of the organization, by spearheading a network of local NGOs on a national level, thus creating a framework for implementing, monitoring and counselling of local CSOs. In order to do so, the project will start with a double research phase – covering both on mapping and identifying possible candidates for the CSO network and also the development of the methodology for local dialogue. Experts will provide their aid for both these endeavors, alongside local authorities from Romania and abroad, CSO members and other stakeholders. Afterwards, this model will be promoted and implemented on a local level, via the established network, all in the name of decision-making transparency and civic engagement. The project strives to make the model accessible and easy to implement, in order for it to be available to all interested entities and to have a great replicability coefficient. Throughout the project, Funky Citizens will act as an umbrella-organization, providing overview, counselling and feedback to the members of the network, in order to assure efficiency in implementation. The project features two strategic partners - Bjerkaker Learning Lab (Norway) and RISE Project (Romania).
Summary of project results
The project addressed issues such as the lack of dialogue between authorities and civil society, low civic engagement, and the difficulty of achieving decision-making transparency at the local level. The organization committed to acting as a community link and mediator between citizens, authorities, and journalists, helping all parties become more active and engaged in their communities.
Funky Citizens aimed to enhance its capacity by assuming the lead role in a national network, consolidating and monitoring this network, and encouraging joint initiatives and collaboration among its members, especially considering the civic engagement stimulated by the electoral nature of 2024. Through this project, Funky Citizens implemented necessary strategies and products for local activists, created a national network of local coordinators, and provided training in areas such as journalism, civic education, public administration, and budgeting. Activities included sociological research, creating a visual identity and support materials, organizing training sessions and advocacy workshops, and developing the Local Participation Index. The beneficiaries of the project are
local activists, community organizations, and citizens in the targeted communities.
The project''s impact is significant, reached over 800,000 citizens through general messages and more than 100.000 through activities derived from advocacy campaigns, facilitating a more open dialogue with local authorities and promoting civic engagement during electoral years.
Summary of bilateral results
Bjerkaker Learning Lab was involved in the essential planning stages of project. BLL participated in the launch event of the network and provided a training for entities .